Static Loading Tests and Finite Element Analysis of Phosphogypsum Steel Truss Concrete Slabs

Abstract

This study investigates the utilization of phosphogypsum (PG), an industrial byproduct, as a sustainable additive in reinforced truss concrete slabs to promote eco-friendly construction practices. Through static loading tests (monotonic/cyclic) under mixed boundary conditions (simply supported fixed), four slabs—including 2% PG-modified and ordinary concrete—were evaluated for mechanical performance, stress strain response, deflection, and crack propagation. The results demonstrated that PG enhanced slabs achieved comparable strength to conventional counterparts while exhibiting superior structural integrity at failure, highlighting PG’s potential to reduce environmental waste without compromising performance. Finite element analysis (ABAQUS2023) closely aligned with experimental data (<5% error), validating the model’s reliability in predicting failure modes. The study underscores PG’s viability as a circular economy solution for green building materials, offering dual benefits of waste valorization and resource efficiency. These findings advance sustainable construction by providing actionable insights for integrating industrial byproducts into high-performance structural systems, aligning with global decarbonization goals.